Labour seek support from the Chancellor for Bio Yorkshire

11th February, 2021

The MP for York Central Rachael Maskell and the Leader of the Labour Group Cllr Danny Myers, have written to the Chancellor to urge him to deliver investment for the Bio Yorkshire project to help York, ahead of arguably one of the most important budgets in recent years.

Bio Yorkshire will create 4,000 highly skilled jobs, reskill 25,000 people and boost our local and regional economy, it forecasts to be able to support over 800 bioeconomy start-ups, as well as reducing CO²emissions by 2.8million tonnes.

Bio Yorkshire is led by the University of York, Askham Bryan College and Fera Science, it will bring together expertise to develop bio-based supplies of fuel, chemicals and materials. It will also work with the region’s farmers and agricultural industries to drive innovation while enabling more productive and sustainable crop production and land use.

Rachael Maskell MP spoke of the importance of the project to York and the region.

“We’ve written to the Chancellor to request that the investment required to get Bio Yorkshire started is not delayed. If we are to truly ‘build back better’ then we want that work to start now on Bio Yorkshire, with skilled, career jobs being invested in York. It’s what our local economy desperately needs, and will also generate £5bn for the North of England by 2030.

“In the year that the UK hosts COP26 [26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties], it is important that the UK can showcase how it is leading the way in addressing the climate crisis; BioYorkshire plays a central role in this.”

Cllr Myers, who co-wrote the letter, added:

“We must see a shift in approach in our local economy, businesses are confident that tourism in York will return post-Covid. However, we must tackle our low-pay, high cost-of-living city if we want a fair city with opportunities for all in the future.

“Unfortunately, a shortage of career jobs and a local economy that is over-reliant on tourism, retail and hospitality has left York badly exposed; the Government’s budget is the chance to start the change that is needed.”